for passionflower growers...

[deepsun80]

hey all,
I had a question for any nexus members with experience growing passionflowers. I started a couple of passionflowers this spring, and they were doing well until a couple of weeks ago when they got swarmed by little black caterpillars, who are chewing them up at a fast rate. I pick them every now and then but that's not helping, and besides Im going to be away for a while and Im afraid they will consume the plants completely.
If anyone has encountered this problem, and knows a natural remedy for it, I would appreciate the info (i would prefer not to use artificial insecticides).

 

[Gir]

Things You'll Need:

* 1 cup of chopped orange peels
* ¼ cup of boiling water
* Cheesecloth
* Mist sprayer

Put the orange peels in a blender or food processor. Actually any citrus fruit will work because the caterpillar is repelled by the scent and it has the add advantage of having a pleasant aroma for humans

Step 2

Pour the boiling water over the Orange peels. The boiling water will help to extract the important citrus oils.

Step 3

Liquefy the entire mixture and allow it to sit overnight at room temperature. Cover the mixture to help control evaporation.

Step 4

Strain the mixture through cheesecloth and pour the liquid into a hand held mist sprayer.

Step 5

Fill the remaining space in the sprayer with warm water.

Step 6

Spray your plants. Start at the bottom and enjoy the scent.


hope it helps

got it from here: Caterpillar repellant

 

[pau]

passion flowers grow like weeds in southern california and seem to have few if any predators. It's probably the only thing in my garden that wants to multiply X100 - no kidding - every year unless it's cut back. The fruits are pretty good, too. I suggest you go to an independent nursery or garden center with a kidnapped catepillar and ask their advice. Most such places these days are very up to date on natural insecticides.

 

[ThirdEyeVision]

Try Neem Oil

 

[deepsun80]

Thank you for your suggestions, I will try them.